Pedernales River at Johnson City
Texas · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 08153500 — Pedernales Rv nr Johnson City, TX · NWS forecast point JOCT2
Reading taken Jul 29, 12:00 AM UTC
Running far above normal for the date
At 112 CFS, this gauge is running 700% of normal for late July — above the 16 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 87 years of record (1939–2026). The stage is 2.5 ft below the NWS action stage of 13.0 ft.
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Johnson City
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge JOCT2, issued by WFO EWX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 19.0 ft
- 19.0 ft Major flooding makes secondary and primary roads below Stonewall to Lake Travis very dangerous. Low park areas downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park flood.
- 22.0 ft Secondary roads, bridges and crossings are dangerously flooded near the Pedernales River. Low areas of Pedernales Falls State Park are flooded and dangerous. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed in the flood plain.
- 25.0 ft Extensive damage occurs to roads, bridges, fences and signs in the flood plain below Stonewall to Lake Travis. Lower sections of Pedernales Falls State Park flood. Roads and low bridges near the river are flooded and dangerous to motorists. Exceeds USGS 1:10 year flood.
- 28.0 ft Secondary and primary roads and bridges are severely flooded in the flood plain. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed. Low areas of Pedernales State Park downstream are severely flooded. Exceeds USGS 1:25 year flood.
- 30.0 ft Flow is within four feet of an RV park in the northeast part of Johnson City just below Highway 281 on the left bank. Lowest camp sites are at thirty four feet gauge height. Hundreds of livestock in the flood plain can be cut off and drowned. Roads and low bridges near the river flood. Low sections of Pedernales Falls State Park downstream are under turbulent water and very dangerous. Exceeds the USGS 1:50 year flood.
- 34.0 ft Flow is to the lowest trailer sites of an RV park just below Highway 281 near Johnson City. Hundreds of cattle can be cut off and drowned in the flood plain. Low areas of Pedernales Falls State Park downstream flood. Roads and bridges near the river are extremely dangerous. Flow is approaching the rodeo grounds. Near the USGS 1:100 year flood level.
- 37.0 ft Several feet of turbulent water is flowing through low areas of an RV park below Highway 281 on the right bank. Many roads and bridges in the flood plain are life threatening. Fencing and roads are damaged or destroyed. Much of Pedernales Falls State Park is flooded.
- 40.0 ft Flow reaches the slab elevation of the lowest homes in the Pedernales River flood plain near Johnson City, the rodeo grounds and the south approach of Highway 281. An RV park just below Highway 281 has up to six feet of water over the lowest sites. Widespread lowland flooding can cut off and drown hundreds of livestock. Much of Pedernales Falls State Park floods.
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Moderate flood 17.0 ft
- 17.0 ft Moderate lowland flooding makes secondary roads, bridges and low crossings very dangerous. Swimmers and recreationists should move from the flood plain downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park. Near the USGS 1:2 year flood.
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Minor flood 14.0 ft
- 14.0 ft Minor lowland flooding reaches secondary roads, crossings and low bridges. Low areas of LBJ National Park upstream are flooded. Swimmers and recreationists should leave the river downstream in Pedernales Falls State Park.
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Action 13.0 ft
- 13.0 ft Low water crossings upstream flood.
- Right now 10.49 ft
12 months of flow at Johnson City
Daily values from USGS gauge 08153500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Johnson City
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 42.50 ft | 441,000 CFS | Sep 11, 1952 |
| 33.00 ft | — | Jul 3, 1869 |
| 26.10 ft | — | Oct 4, 1959 |
| 26.10 ft | — | Aug 30, 1944 |
| 26.00 ft | 105,000 CFS | Jul 4, 2002 |
| 25.16 ft | 94,900 CFS | Jun 22, 1997 |
| 24.90 ft | 127,000 CFS | Aug 3, 1978 |
| 24.80 ft | — | Apr 24, 1957 |
| 24.58 ft | — | Jul 16, 2026 |
| 22.90 ft | — | May 28, 1929 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Pedernales River at Johnson City
This is the reference gauge for Pedernales River at Johnson City, Texas. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
Pedernales Falls State Park closes on rises.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 16 CFS for late July, from 87 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Pedernales River at Johnson City — common questions
What is the current flow on Pedernales River at Johnson City?
As of the last reading on this page, Pedernales River at Johnson City was running 112 CFS at a gage height of 10.49 ft, or 700% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 08153500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 16 CFS, calculated from 87 years of record (1939–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is flood stage at Johnson City?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 14.0 ft, moderate at 17.0 ft, and major at 19.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 13.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 11 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
This gauge does not currently carry an active NWS forecast. When one is issued, it appears on the chart alongside the observed record.